Shot placement
- Thread starter Foxyboy43
- Start date
I've only been stalking for a little over a year now, so I've always been good and shot the DSC1 placement. I have always hit exactly where I have been aiming, but always had the deer run on (albeit very short distance).
Last deer was a Roe buck that was standing head on and staring straight at me. No option for a body shot as it would have entered the front and come out the backside, spilling everything inside. Having hot my target every time for the past year, I opted for the neck and felt confident in doing so.
It dropped on the spot and did not move a muscle. By far the cleanest and what I would say was therefore the most humane kill by far.
The distance was short, and I certainly wouldn't be taking the shot at 200 m, but it certainly made me think that although a chest shot deer will die quickly, it definitely knows what is up
Last deer was a Roe buck that was standing head on and staring straight at me. No option for a body shot as it would have entered the front and come out the backside, spilling everything inside. Having hot my target every time for the past year, I opted for the neck and felt confident in doing so.
It dropped on the spot and did not move a muscle. By far the cleanest and what I would say was therefore the most humane kill by far.
The distance was short, and I certainly wouldn't be taking the shot at 200 m, but it certainly made me think that although a chest shot deer will die quickly, it definitely knows what is up
Happy stalker
Well-Known Member
Class discuss (again….)
Totally agree
% a chest shot should always be the first thought as deer welfare should always come before money, I understand and I do take head shots myself but only in certain situations.
farrieral
Well-Known Member
Head and neck shots have a place.
But the margin for error is small as your man in the video highlights.
Each deer shot presents differently and only the person behind the rifle can make the end decision... but he or she needs to be honest with themselves in their own abilities before letting the round go on it's way.
I've seen plenty of, thankfully clean misses on head or neck shooting, even when a clean chest broadside shot was presented (not by myself, I pin the shoulders/high shoulder shoot 90%, don't like long tracks
).
And to my mind, not that im doing it as an income... the game dealers aren't paying enough to dictate to me where to shoot deer!!
But the margin for error is small as your man in the video highlights.
Each deer shot presents differently and only the person behind the rifle can make the end decision... but he or she needs to be honest with themselves in their own abilities before letting the round go on it's way.
I've seen plenty of, thankfully clean misses on head or neck shooting, even when a clean chest broadside shot was presented (not by myself, I pin the shoulders/high shoulder shoot 90%, don't like long tracks
).And to my mind, not that im doing it as an income... the game dealers aren't paying enough to dictate to me where to shoot deer!!
This ^^^
An excellent no nonsense explanation of the options & what the risks are, well done that man for making the video. Well done too for @Foxyboy43 for posting it 
The vast majority of my deer are shot in the engine room but every once in a while a head shot presents itself, typically at under 100 yards & often nearer to 50 yards so it gets taken if I think it’s on. Normally these will be the lead animal in a group that’s stopped in front of me & I take it to stop the others running past with it if it runs, or it’s a target of opportunity that presents after I’ve already taken a shot or shots.
The key is, if you’re not 100% confident in the head or neck shot, then stick it in the engine room.
The vast majority of my deer are shot in the engine room but every once in a while a head shot presents itself, typically at under 100 yards & often nearer to 50 yards so it gets taken if I think it’s on. Normally these will be the lead animal in a group that’s stopped in front of me & I take it to stop the others running past with it if it runs, or it’s a target of opportunity that presents after I’ve already taken a shot or shots.
The key is, if you’re not 100% confident in the head or neck shot, then stick it in the engine room.
It depends on so many factors. Your own confidence and ability, range, how the deer presents itself, your stability, species, etc.
Head or neck shots do result in a lovely clean carcass, but this shouldn't be the deciding factor. I'll take whichever shot is optimum, whether it's head, neck, or boiler room. The overriding influences though are a) is it going to result in a clean kill, and b) is it going to result in a clean kill!
I'd rather lose a few ounces of venison than have to track a wounded deer. Or worse, lose a wounded deer!
Head or neck shots do result in a lovely clean carcass, but this shouldn't be the deciding factor. I'll take whichever shot is optimum, whether it's head, neck, or boiler room. The overriding influences though are a) is it going to result in a clean kill, and b) is it going to result in a clean kill!
I'd rather lose a few ounces of venison than have to track a wounded deer. Or worse, lose a wounded deer!
Respect for the animal extends to respect for the carcass.
Choosing a shot placement that minimises waste is right up there alongside ensuring a clean kill.
(But no-one should be attempting shots beyond the limits of their capability. That's when it all goes wrong).
Equal first place for me.
Absolutely agree.
When it becomes killing for the sake of culling, without respect.
The video is nice in explaining how small the neck/head targets are on a real deer.
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
I was about to share some home truths about wild deer 
But not suitable without a ban
But not suitable without a ban
The industry is stuck in a rut:
Why should any stalker bother with improving carcass quality, when the price is so low?
Why should any game dealer bother with improving carcass price when the quality is so low?
wildfowler.250
Well-Known Member
It wouldn’t be my go to. But even if you shoot behind the shoulder, you get a lot of bruising to the shoulder area. If someone takes out both shoulders,(+ lungs) retrieves a dead deer and the best bits of the carcass are still available , it’s not that bad. I can understand some may say it’s a waste of meat but it definitely serves a purpose in some situations.
little hawk
Well-Known Member
I fully agree that head and neck shots risk serious wounding, suffering and lost animals. I think a lot of this is fuelled by shooting bravado. Clean carcasses are the excuse. But as said, not that much meat is wasted especially a broadside shot with copper. It's even harder on muntjac to head and neck shoot with them flitting about up and down etc. If any animal decides to move just as the shot is released, it will never be perfect. So a slight margin of error is best for all concerned.
Happy stalker
Well-Known Member
Aye absolutely and shows how it’s very easy it is to wound an animal putting money before animal welfare I find very distasteful and disrespectful.
Each to their own I suppose
All shots risk serious wounding, suffering and lost animals.
Absolutely. If stalkers could really shoot as well as they say they can (consistently sub 1" at 100yds) then head shots would be the norm.
Probably it's the ones who believe their own propaganda that ultimately mess up.
Clean carcasses are important.
All stalkers should strive for clean carcasses. Even if there's no financial incentive, producing a clean carcass with minimal waste shows respect for the animal.
Otherwise you're just killing for the sake of killing.
There's about £70 worth of venison on the shoulders, breast and neck of a fallow, so about 20% of the carcass retail value.
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